| Theme
“The object of power is power” – George Orwell, “1984”
In the mortal world, while many desire power over their enemies, circumstances, et al, the human mind and soul is tempered by things such as legacy, love, children, higher purpose, faith in a high existence, duty, and righteousness. There are mortals who seek power for their own sake, but even the most vicious and grasping of those latter beings who desire power above else, fall prey to the great equalizer of time.
Remove that restriction, and you have Kindred society. There are those who have the same lofty and selfless goals as mortals, love, legacy, faith in God, but they, by the very nature of not placing the acquisition and retention of power above all else, are ‘weaker’ some would say, than those in which their safety and their ability is paramount. One cannot exist in a such an atmosphere without either becoming isolated to helplessness, being disposed of as foolish, or joining in the pursuit. Power crosses all clans and beliefs and upbringings; if one can use a term such as ‘hero’ to a Kindred, it would be those who successfully starve off the corruption for as long as possible.
Mood
“The Game is the Game” – Omar Little, “The Wire”
The mood of the setting is reflected in its theme. Everyone knows the Jihad is destructive and designed to frustrate both stubborn idealist and grasping tyrant alike. The Camarilla can be seen as the guiltiest protector of the Jihad, or the last bastion of mitigating civility which protects all the uninvolved for as much as possible. It all depends on what part of the playing field you stand. Even the Sabbat plays it part, while the Anarchs struggle to shake off the yoke and replace it with their own. There is a knowing understanding between the players, that all of the facets of the political biosphere of vampires lends itself to the perpetration of the Game. But once in, you are always in – and the only escape is death and judgement.
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